Seed-drill.



PATENTED AUG. 27, 1901.

' L.E.ROB Y. SEED DRILL.

APPLICATION TILED 00!.22. 1904 3 BHEBTS-BKBET 1.

mama/e1 PATENTBD AUG. 27, 190?,

I E. ROBY. snnn DRILL.

APPLIOATIOI FILED 001222, 1904.

I aunts-sum 2.

nu- NORRIS PKTIRS 470., \nsumarolv, n. c,

No. 864,562. PATEN'I'ED AUG. 27, 1901.

LEROBY. SEED DRILL.

APPLICATION FILED 00122. 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Tu: NORRIS versus co., \usnmcmu n 'c LUTHER E. ROBY, OF PEORIA,ILLINOIS.

SEED-DRILL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 27, 1907.

Application filed October 22, 1904. Serial No. 229,556-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUTHER E. ROBY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Seed-Drills; and I dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, which will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to drills and relates particularly to thattype of machine known as fivedisk drills, and is an improvement upon themachine for which application for Letters Patent was filed on March 4,1904, bearing Serial Number 196,615.

The improvements herein relate particularly to the draw bar connectionwith a swingable support, and to the devices adapted to regulate theoutward and inward movement of such draw bars.

The invention consists further in the guards or fenders which aresupported by the outside draw bars, and to the means for allowing thedraw bars to automatically follow the rows of corn stalks.

Further objects and aims will be hereinafter more particularlyspecified, claimed in the appended claims and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of a five-disk drill with my improvementsembodied thereon; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine seen in Fig. 1and having the seed-box cut away to disclose certain features beneath;Fig. 3 shows in plan and somewhat enlarged, a series of drawbars, themanner of holding the same parallel, the mode of swinging them and theirsupport. That part in full lines indicating the disks moved outwardlyand the dotted lines showing that the disks have been moved inwardly,and Fig. 4 shows detached and in detail the preferred form of fender forthe disks of the outside draw-bars.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout thefigures.

1 denotes corresponding longitudinal frame parts, suitably spaced apart,their forward ends supported upon the front ground wheel 2, and theirrear ends upon the rear carrying or truck wheels 3. The rear ends of theframes 1 are coupled to similar couplings 4, and they to each other bythe bar 5; and to the couplings 4 the wheels 3 httve a suitable swivelconnection. Connected to the extreme front ends of the frame parts 1, isa bar or reach 6 extending up a suitable distance and adapted to supportor have attached thereto a swingletree (not shown), or other coupling.The reach 6 is braced by the braces 7 which are attached to the reach 6and brackets 19 attached to the frames 1 as shown. And 8 indicatehandles which extend upwardly and rearwardly, their forward lower endssecured to braces 9 attached to and extending laterally from the frames1.

A seed-box is indicated as 10, supported transversely above the frames1, by the front brace 11 and the rear braces 12; also the diagonally andlongitudinally disposed braces 12 of which there are two extending fromthe upper end of the reach 6 to the opposite ends of the seed-box 10, asshown. In Fig. 2 only one of the braces 12 is seen for the reason, thatone half of the seed-box is cut-away, hence the left hand brace 12 isomitted. The front brace 11 is attached to a cross-plate or frame 13secured to the frames 1 and serving a further purpose to be described,while the lower ends of the braces 12 are secured to the couplings 4 ofthe frames 1. Extending through the seed-box is an operating shaft 14.-adapted to have connection with suitable seed wheels, not shown, orother feeding devices, adapted to direct grain or seed to suitableconductors which lead to seed tubes, of disks to be described. The'shaft 14 is driven from the front ground wheel 2, by means of a sprocketwheel 15 and a chain 16 connecting the sprocket 15 with a sprocket 17 onthe shaft 14. r

The disks which have been alluded to, consist of a series of live disks,two laterally and Vertically movably carriednpon opposite sides of theframes 1, and a vertically movable disk carried between the frames 1.

The supports for the disks upon the opposite side of the frames 1,consist of the frames or castings 18, which have a pivoted connection at19 with a bracket or other suitable support secured to the frames 1 inline with the axis of the wheel 2. "he castings are formed withvertically disposed portions 20, which form pivots for castings 21,adapted to swing horizontally on the said frames 18, and to the saidcastings are pivoted the castings 22, which are adapted to have verticalswinging movement, and to the said castings 22 are secured the draw bars23 and 23; the former disposed adjacent to the outside of the frames 1,and the latter disposed upon the outside of the bars 23, and formed witha crook 24, for the purpose of spacing the disks carried thereby atdesirable intervals apart. The connection described between the drawbars and castings 18 forms a swivel connection for the said draw-bars,adapting the same to be raised and lowered, and to swing horizontally ontheir pivots, the pivoting of the frames 18 allowing the said frames anddraw-bars to be swung inwardly and outwardly. The rear ends of thedraw-bars support tubular castings or hangers 25 forming seed spouts andjournaled to the castings or hangers 25, in a suitable manner, are diskfurrow openers 26. The style of the casting 25 and the disk furroweropeners 26 are not ma terial, nor the particular manner of conveyingseed to the ground through such castings, as any other form of furrowopener designed to be used on a drill, may be used with as good results.

Supported between the frames 1, is a seed spout and a disk furrow openersimilar in all respects to those indicated as being carried outside thesaid frames 1, and the same is vertically movable. It is secured to andsupported by the frame on reaches 27, which extend forwardly and arepivotally secured to the frames 1., as seen in the drawings.

It is adapted that the draw-bars 23 and 23 shall remain parallel to eachother at all times, whether the said bars are shifted inwardly oroutwardly and to re tain the same in a locked relation to each other.The bars 23 and 23 are coupled in advance of their disks by means of-therod 28 secured to suitable castings 28 and 28 attached respectively tothe bars 23 and 23". The bar 23 has in turn, a coupling with the braceor frame 13, by means of a rod 29, which is secured to a casting 29attached to the said bar and a swiveled eye 29, attached at a suitablepoint to the brace or frame 13. As the bars 23" are shifted outwardly,it will be seen that the rod 28 will draw the bar 23 out also, the saidrod 28 and the rod 29 controlling the movements of the draw-bars 23 and23 in their relation to each other, the swivel connection of the eye 29adapting the rod 29 to give to the movements of the draw-bars when thesame are raised or lowered from the ground, as will be described. Themeans for shifting the draw-bars will now be described;

On the frame parts 1 are slidably carried sleeves or plates 30, andhaving a pivotal connection with ears 30 of the sleeves, are bars orreaches 31, which at their opposite or inner ends, are pivotallyconnected to the body of a lever 32, the said lever having the usualdetent, not shown, operated by a rod and pivoted fingerhold 32 and 32",to engage a segment rack 33, supported between the framesl, whereby,when the lever is adjusted, its position my be locked. The sleeves 30are each provided with short studs or pins 34 to which are connected therods or reaches 35, which extend across the rods 29 and the draw-bars23, and their outer ends connected with a casting 34 secured to the bodyof the draw-bar 23, intermediate their connection with the castings 18and their disks, as shown. Thus, it will be seen, that, if it is desiredto swing the disks outwardly to widen the space between them, the lever32 is moved so as to cause the reaches 31 to be moved forwardly,imparting a corresponding movement to the sleeves or plates 30. Suchmovement of the sleeves 30 will cause the rods 35 to be moved forwardlyand outwardly, carrying with them the draw-bars 23, and the draw-bars 23will impart a corresponding movement to the drawbars 23 through the rods28, each of which carry the disks as described; the castings 18, throughthe movement of the draw-bars, swinging on their pivots andaccommodating themselves to the movement of the drawbars, while the rods28 and 2.) retain the draw-bars in their relative arrangement, in properalinement and parallel to each other. To reverse the movement of thedraw-bars for contracting the space between the disks, the operation ofthe lever 32 is reversed, which will impart a movement to the draw-bars,just the reverse to that above described. Both the extreme inner andouter movements being clearly seen in Fig. 3, of the drawings, and maybe accomplished by the operator from the rear of the machine, and whilethe same is in motion.

While the draw-bars are capable of independently following theirregularities of the ground, to allow the disks to accommodatethemselves to any unevenness, which is accomplished through theconnection described between the draw-bars and frames 18, there is alsoprovided means for raising all the disks simulta neously from the groundand also for applying a yield ing pressure upon the said disks. Thismeans consists of a rocking shaft 36, journaled in suitable bearingsattached to the braces 12. On the said shaft is carried a series of arms36 to the outer ends of which is attached a swiveled block 37 with whichis connected the upper ends of rods 37, which slide freely through saidblocks. The rods at their lower ends are secured to eyes or suitablehooks of the bearings of the disks; and 38 denote coil springs whichencircle the said rods, for the purpose apparent. To rock the saidshaft, a lever 39 is provided, having a rod and pawl connection with atoothed segment supported by one of the braces 12. The lowering of thelever raising the arms 36 and thereby the disks, and the raising of thesame lowers the disks and imparts a yielding pressure upon the same. Thecenter disk has connection with the shaft 36, coiresponding to theconnection of the outside disks with said shaft, to adapt the same to beraised and lowered, but fixed against lateral motion, as will be seen.

41 denotes guards or fenders, consisting of a bar or strap, which aresecured at one end at a point 42 to the outer bearing plate of the outerdraw-bars 23 and extending forwardly, upwardly and inwardly are socuredat a point 43 to the draw-bars. The said fenders serving to keep alltrash and weeds from the disk.

The fenders 41 just described and shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 are thepreferred form of fender, but in Fig. 3, a modified fender is shownattached to the outer drawbar 23; consisting of a guard 40 made integralwith the casting 28 and overlapping the forward portion of the disk 26as shown.

I have provided for releasing the draw-bars and disks from any positiveengagement or connection with means for adjusting them, to permit thesame to automatically follow the rows of corn when the machine is inaction. For instance, a link or loop 44 is attached to the handle of thelever 32;and it is adapted to slip this link over the finger 32 whichwill retain the rod 32* in a disengaged relation with the rack 33. Sothat as the machine moves forward, the fenders attached to the draw-barswill engage with the corn-stalks and automatically adapt the disks tothe rows of corn, no matter how irregular. The tendency of the drawbarswill be to swing outwardly, hence the fenders will always be in positionto guide the direction of the drawbars and disks, through theirengagement with the stalks, as described.

The advantages of the machine described herein are the same as in themachine, upon which application for patent has been made, and abovereferred to; it being the aim to produce a machine of the characterdescribed, wherein the center disk is fixed against lateral motion, andthe opposite outside disks, laterally adjustable. The entire series ofdisks connected with means whereby they may be raised or depressed andeach disk independently movable to adapt itself to the irregularities ofthe ground. The draw-bars supporting the disks being so coupled that thesaid bars, whether in or out, will always remain parallel with eachother and their supporting frame; the arrangement being such that thecutting edges of the disks, no matter in what position the draw-bars areadjusted, will always enter the ground at approximately the same angle,as to change the angle of the disk with the adjustment of the draw-bars,is to destroy the usefulness of the machine and make it practicallyimpossible for the disks to enter the soil.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, ic:

1. In a seed drill, a main supporting frame, a pair of draw-barssupporting disk furrow openers. vertically and laterally adjustable uponopposite sides of the frame, coupling rods between the inner draw-barsand the frame and separate coupling rods between the inner and outerdraw-bars respectively, and means for shifting the oppo' site outerdraw-bars and thereby shifting; the inner opposite draw-bars,substantially as specified.

In a seed drill, parallel main fralne parts, a disk furrow openersupported between the frame parts and adapt ed for vertical adjustmentonly, a pair of draw-bars sup porting disk furrow openers disposed uponopposite sides of the frame parts, sleeves slidably carried upon theopposite lrame parts, connections between the sleeves and outerdraw-bars, separate connections between the outer and inner draw-bars,and means suitably connected with the aforesaid sleeves, whereby thesame may be adjusted and'therehy adjust the draw-bars, substantially asspecilied.

ii. In a seed drill, a frame, a casting swingably connected with theframe, a pair of draw-bars swiveled to said casting, a rod having itsopposite ends pivotally connected to the said draw-bars, a second rodhaving a pivoted connection with one of said bars and the frame, ahorizontally movable member carried on the frame, a rod pivotallyconnected to said member and the outer draw-bar, and means for shiftingthe said member, substantially as specified.

:l. In a seed drill, a frame, a casting pivotally secured to said frame,a pair of draw-bars swiveled at their forward ends to the casting andextending rearwardly parallel with the frame. furrow openers secured tothe rear ends of said bars, a tender having one end secured to ahealing" plate of the outside furrow opener and its opposite end securedto the draw-har at or near its forward end, connections between thedraw-bars and the frame, a shitting device, and connections between saidshitting; device and the outside draw-bar, substantially as specified.

In a seed drill, a frame, a draw-bar support pivoted to the frame, apair of draw-bars swiveled to the said sup port and carrying furrowopeners which are adapted to re main parallel to each other, aconnecting, device between the draw'bnrs, a connecting device betweenthe inner bar and frame, a horizontally movable member, a connectingdevice between the member and outside dra\v-bar, a lever having a rodand pawl engagement with a toothed see" ment. connections between themember and lever, means for retaining the lever from engagement with thetoothed segment. whereby the drawbars may swing freely outwardly fromthe frame, and a tender on the outside drawbar. substantially and forthe purposes specified.

(i. In a seed drill, parallel frame supports, a furrow opener supportedbetween the frame supports, frames pivoi'ed oppositely to each other onthe said frames, a pair of draw-bars having a swiveled connection withsaid frames, connections beiween the draw-bars of each pair and with theparallel supports, sleeves slidably carried by the parallel frames,connections between the said sleeves and outside d aw-bars, means forshifting the sleeves and thereby moving the draw-bars simultaneouslyinwardly or outwardly, and means for raising or depressing the series ofdraw-bars and center furrow openers, substantially as specified.

7. In a seed drill. a frame. a casting;- pivotally connected to thelframc, a draw-bar connected for horizontal and vertical movement withsaid casting", a disk furrow opener supported by the opposite end of thedraw-bar, means for shitting the drawbar inwardly and outwardly, meansfor raising or lowering the said draw-bar, and a tender consisting, of abar suitably attached at one end to the bearing plate of the disk andextending forwardly and upwardly is secured to the draw-bar at or nearits outer end, substantially as specified.

S. In a grain drill, a draw-bar pivotally supported at its forward endto adapt it to have vertical and horizontal swinging" movement, meansfor swinging said bar horizontally, means for raising or depressing; thesame, a tubular disk hanger connected to the rear end of the draw-bar, adisk connected to said hanger with its concave face adjacent thereto,and a tender secured at one end to the outside bearing of the disk andextending for wardly, upwardly and inwardly with its front end connectedto the draw-bar, for the purpose described.

9. In a grain drill, a supporting frame, a pair of drawhars on each sideof the frame and pivotally connected at their forward ends tosaid'frame. means connecting the dra\vbars of each pair in series. meansfor raising, or lowcrime' each pair of draw-bars simultaneously, diskhangers and disks connected to the rear ends of said draw-bars. andfenders secured to the outside disk hangers at each side of the frame,and extending forwardly, upwardly and inwardly, for the purposedescribed.

10. In a grain drill, the combination of a support piv oted at one endto adapt it to have a horizontal swinging movement, draw-bars supportingdisk hangers and disks and pivoted to said support, an equalizing;device for connecting said draw-bars in series for retaining them parallel with each other at all times, means for oscillating said supportand thereby the draw-bars, and fenders se cured to the disk hangers ofthe outside draw-bars and extending forwardly, upwardly and inwardly,for the purpose described.

11. In a grain drill, a drawbar, a disk hanger and disk connectedthereto, and a fender secured to the disk hanger extending forwardly,upwardly and inwardly and secured at its forward end to the draw-bar,for the purpose described.

12. In a grain drill, the combination of a series of drawbars adapted tohave vertical and horizontal swinging movement, disk hangers and disksconnected to each of said draw-bars, means for retaining; the said barsparallel with each other in their horizontal movement, and fenderssecured to the disk hangers at each side extending" forwardly, upwardlyand in unity, for the purpose described.

13. In a grain drill, the combination of a series of parallel retaineddraw-bars, a disk hanger and disk connected to each of said draw-bars,and fenders secured to the disk hangers at each side extendingforwardly, upwardly and inwardly, for the purpose described.

14-. In a grain drill. the combination of a series of drawbars pivotallysupported at their forward ends to adapt them to have horizontal andvertical movement, a corinection between the said draw-bars to retainthem atall times parallel with each other, a lever having a rod and pawlengagement with a toothed segment. connections be tween said lever andthe draw-bars. and means for retaining" the lever from engagement withthe toothed sec;- ment, whereby the drawbars may swing freely outwardly.

15. In a grain drill, the combination of a series of drawbars pivotallysupported at their forward ends to adapt them to have horizontal andvertical movement, a connection between the said draw-bars to retainthem at all times parallel with each other, a lever having a rod andpawl engagement with a toothed segment, connections between said leverand the drawbars, means for retaining the lever from engagement with thetoothed segment, whereby the drawbars may swing freely outwardly, andtenders connected to the outside draw-bars.

16. In a grain drill, the combination of a series of drawbars adapted tohave vertical and horizontal swinging movement, disk hangers and disksconnected to each of said draw-bars, means for retaining the said barsparallel with each other in their horizontal movement, and fenderssecured to the outside drawbars of the series and overlapping the diskssupported thereby.

17. In a grain drill, a main supporting frame, a pair of draw-bars uponeach side of the main frame supporting disk furrow openers, pivot/allyhung at their forward ends on said frame to adapt them to havehorizontal movement,

10 couplingrods between the inner draw-bars and the frame

